Vaccines Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced all children and adults (age 12 and up) are eligible to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Younger teens – those between 12 and 15 – can now get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The recommendation comes following a thorough review of safety and effectiveness data from clinical trials in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Vaccines are free to everyone. No insurance is required.

Minor Consent

A North Carolina State law changed on August 20, 2021 that now requires health care providers to obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian of a minor prior to administration of any vaccine that that has been granted emergency use authorization and is not yet fully approved by the FDA to an individual under 18 years of age.

Once a vaccine has full FDA approval, pre-existing minor consent laws apply to consent to vaccination.

*Although minors 12-17, may receive a third additional doses if they are immunocompromised, Pfizer Booster doses are NOT approved for those that are under the age 18.

Booster Doses (Pfizer ONLY) and Third Doses for Immunocompromised Individuals (Moderna and Pfizer Only)

For individuals who received Pfizer for their first and second dose, the CDC recommends:

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their second dose of Pfizer
• People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions* should receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their second dose Pfizer
• People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions* may receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their second dose
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their second dose 

*Underlying medical conditions that increase risk for severe illness include: 

• Cancer 
• Chronic kidney disease 
• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
• Dementia or other neurological conditions
• Type 1 and 2 Diabetes 
• Down syndrome 
• Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
• HIV infection
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
• Liver Disease 
• Overweight and obesity 
• Pregnancy 
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking, current or former
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
• Substance use disorders

For individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and who received Pfizer or Moderna for their first and second dose, the CDC recommends:

• People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
• People who have compromised immune systems may benefit from an additional dose to make sure they have enough protection against COVID-19.
• CDC recommends people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna after the initial 2 doses.

The CDC recommends third doses to:

• Cancer patients undergoing active treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood;
• Organ transplant recipients who are taking medicine to suppress their immune systems;
• Stem cell transplant recipients who are less than two years out from their transplant and taking medicine to suppress their immune systems;
• Anyone with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome);
• Anyone with advanced or an untreated HIV infection; and
• Anyone receiving high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress their immune response.

People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. Immunocompromised individuals will be asked to self-attest to their status. A note from a medical provider is not required.

A third dose needs to be given at least 28 days after a second dose and should be the same brand as the first and second dose.

CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time, including those individuals who received the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Everyone Who Wants a Safe and Effective Vaccine

Only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for individuals age 12 and up. Eligible individuals under the age of 18 should consult our weekly vaccine schedule to confirm Pfizer is available before scheduling their appointment.

The first dose you receive (Moderna or Pfizer) will depend on our supply on hand. You will receive the same vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) for your second as you did for your first dose. Check the vaccination calendar for locations that offer the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

The vaccines are free to everyone, even if you don’t have health insurance.

Bring an ID card if you have one. However, an ID card is not required. Personal information about your health and identity is carefully managed to protect your privacy. It is not shared with CDC or ICE.

You can receive your second dose at one of our locations even if you did not receive your first dose with us. Click  here to schedule an appointment.

Parental Consent

At this time, written consent from parent or a legal guardian is required for 12-15 year olds to receive Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine because of the emergency use authorization. Adolescents 16 and 17 years of age have the ability to consent for FDA approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, if they show the decisional capacity to do so.

State law (Session Law 2021-110) changed on August 20, 2021, and health care providers are now required to obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian of a minor prior to administrating any vaccine that that has been granted emergency use authorization and is not yet fully approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to an individual under 18 years of age.

As of August 23, 2021, the FDA approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older. Pfizer continues to be available under emergency use authorization for 12-15 year olds. The previously established, NC General Statute 90-21.5 gives minors the legal authority to prevent communicable diseases, including COVID-19. Adolescents 16 and 17 years of age have the ability to consent for COVID-19 vaccine, if they show the decisional capacity to do so. Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccines are not currently authorized for individuals under 18 at this time. 

COVID vaccines and pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility  

Vaccines are a routine part of prenatal care and people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or want to become pregnant can be safely vaccinated against COVID-19. Pregnant people are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 and the vaccines are very effective in preventing COVID-19 illness. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding or want to become pregnant may choose to receive any currently recommended COVID-19 vaccine.

The temporary reactions from COVID-19 vaccines are the same for both pregnant and non-pregnant people. Additional information can be found here. Pregnant people can talk with their doctors before making the choice. You do not need to take a pregnancy test before you get your vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are not thought to be a risk to lactating people or their infants. It is possible that immunity from the vaccines can be passed to a baby through breastfeeding. There is no need to wait or avoid pregnancy after being vaccinated. The vaccines do not impact your ability to get pregnant.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends vaccination for all eligible people, including those who may want to get pregnant. Women in the clinical trials successfully became pregnant following vaccination and there have been no safety data to suggest that the vaccines impact the ability of a woman to get pregnant. Similarly, the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology recommends that men who desire fertility should be encouraged to get vaccinated when they are eligible.

Click here for answers to more FAQs

Johnson and Johnson Updates

After a brief pause and careful investigation, the CDC and FDA recommend resuming the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Following this guidance, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recommended that North Carolina vaccine providers resume the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines now that their safety has been reaffirmed. 

Click here to read frequently asked questions (English and Spanish) about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information visit the CDC website.